The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular compact crossovers you can purchase. Buying a used 2021 Honda CR-V is an excellent idea for many different reasons. The design hasn’t changed much over the last few years, which means that you’ll get almost the same features in a 2021 model as you get in the 2022 model. Plus, you’ll save a little bit of cash. You also get a vehicle with stellar safety ratings, plenty of space for people and their cargo, and a solid reputation for reliability and resale value.
The Honda CR-V is roomy, with a massive cargo hold and rear seat. At its base, it comes with a turbocharged engine as spritely as it is fuel-efficient. If you need something with better fuel economy, the 2021 CR-V Hybrid gets 40 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. For 2021, Honda dropped the LX trim on the CR-V Hybrid and only offered it in three trims. The EX, EX-L, and Touring. The 2020 model year got a light exterior update, and the 2021 continues that same styling.
In addition to all this, Honda offers an impressive Certified Pre-Owned program extending the powertrain warranty to 7-years or 100,000 miles and the new vehicle limited warranty to 4-years or 48,000 miles.
Here’s a breakdown of the available trims for the 2021 Honda CR-V and the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid.
2021 Honda CR-V LX (Original starting price when new: $26,470)
See 2021 Honda CR-V LX models for sale near you
The 2021 Honda CR-V LX gets a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), helping maximize power and fuel economy.
All-wheel drive is available on the LX model for an additional $1500.
Standard equipment for the CR-V LX starts with 17-inch alloy wheels, 2-speed variable windshield wipers, power side mirrors, a rear window wiper/washer with heated wiper zone, auto high beam headlights, and remote keyless entry. Mechanical features include an electronic parking brake with automatic brake hold, hill start assist, and an Eco Assist feature that helps the driver minimize fuel consumption by driving less aggressively.
Inside the 2021 Honda CR-V, you get a lengthy list of interior features, including automatic climate control, an auto up/down power driver’s window, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel.
Cloth fabric covers the seats, and you get a 60/40 split-folding rear seat with a folding center armrest and a 6-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat. You also get sliding sun visors, a center console storage bin with a sliding armrest, a conversation mirror with a sunglass holder, and cargo compartment lights.
The 2021 CR-V comes standard with a 160-watt stereo with four speakers. It’s connected to a 5-inch color LCD screen with a rearview monitor to help when backing out of tight spots. The system includes Bluetooth streaming and Active Noise Cancellation, which uses the car’s speakers to counteract the obtrusive engine and exhaust sounds that can make the cabin noisy.
The LX comes with plenty of safety, including Honda’s Safety Sense System. Along with the required anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and full complement of airbags, the CR-V also gets automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist as part of the package.
A standard driver attention monitor warns the driver when they’re not paying attention to the road, and a maintenance reminder system helps owners keep up with required maintenance. You also get an onboard tire pressure monitor, low fuel and low oil indicators, and idle stop/start shutting down the engine when temporarily stopped at a traffic light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
With the right equipment, the 2021 CR-V LX can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Honda CR-V is for buyers on a budget who still want some style, safety, convenience, and space for the money. It’s also a good choice for buyers who want a reliable vehicle that offers all-wheel drive when outfitted accordingly.
2021 Honda CR-V LX includes:
Automatic emergency braking – This system can detect and warn of a possible front-end collision. If the driver fails to respond, the system can slow or stop the vehicle before a crash occurs.
Automatic high-beam headlights – Automatically activates the high beams in low light conditions. When the system senses approaching traffic, it automatically dims the high beams to avoid blinding oncoming drivers.
Automatic climate control – Set the desired interior temperature and the LX’s automatic climate control does the rest.
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel – This feature makes it easy to find the best driving position regardless of seat position. You can adjust the wheel to angle higher or lower and pull it closer or push it further away from you for the ideal driving position.
2021 Honda CR-V EX and Hybrid EX (Original starting price for gasoline version: $27,860. Original starting price for hybrid version: $30,560)
See 2021 Honda CR-V EX models for sale near you and See 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX models for sale near you
The EX is the sweet spot for the 2021 Honda CR-V, delivering the most bang for the buck.
This trim level builds on the LX’s standard equipment and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, body-colored door handles and roofline spoiler, tinted rear privacy glass, a security alarm system, and LED fog lights.
EX buyers also get a one-touch power sunroof, heated side mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, lighted vanity mirrors, and heated front seats. The driver gets a 12-way power seat, including 4-way power lumbar support. Honda’s Smart Entry proximity key with walk-away auto-locking allows remote starting of the vehicle while keeping it locked. It can also remotely lower the windows and open the sunroof using only the key fob.
The EX’s audio includes a 180-watt amp powering six speakers. A 7-inch touch screen hosts Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HondaLink services, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Also included in the mix are HD Radio, SMS text message ability, and two USB charging ports for rear passengers. Dynamic guidelines that turn with the vehicle are added to the standard rearview monitor to help make backing into tight spots easier.
The EX gets blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts as additional driver assistance features.
The Hybrid EX gest all these features plus LED fog lights and a hybrid powertrain that offers as much as 40 mpg around the city. The Hybrid EX also gets standard all-wheel drive, while the gasoline version comes in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. When it was new, adding all-wheel drive to an EX trim would cost you $1500 additional.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Honda CR-V EX is for buyers on a budget who want things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and want a higher level of technology in their crossover. It’s a good choice for buyers who want a reliable vehicle that offers all-wheel drive when outfitted accordingly. The EX trim is also the lowest trim available for the Honda CR-V Hybrid model.
2021 Honda CR-V EX includes:
12-way power driver’s seat – This feature comes with 4-way power lumbar and makes it easy to find the perfect driving position.
Blind-spot monitor – This system monitors the lanes on either side of the CR-V and alerts the driver when a vehicle is driving in their blind spot.
Smart Entry – With the proximity key fob in your pocket, just approach the vehicle to unlock the doors and activate the push-button start.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – allows full integration of an Apple or Android smartphone into the CR-V’s infotainment system, giving access to the user’s apps, music, maps, and messages.
2021 Honda CR-V EX-L and Hybrid EX-L (Original starting price for gasoline version: $30,450. Original starting price for hybrid version: $33,150)
See 2021 Honda CR-V EX-L models for sale near you and See on 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L models for sale near you
Above the EX sits the EX-L and Hybrid EX-L versions of the Honda CR-V. The EX-L gets a slightly upgraded interior over the EX, and its features build on the EX’s standard equipment. The EX-L adds leather seating, a 4-way power passenger seat, a power rear liftgate, two-position memory for the driver’s seat and mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
At the EX-L trim, you also get the Homelink remote garage and security system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and two additional speakers for a total of eight paired to the same 180-watt audio sound system.
The Hybrid EX-L and standard EX-L are identically equipped, except the Hybrid EX-L comes with all-wheel drive while the normal EX-L comes in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Honda CR-V EX-L is for buyers who want an easy-to-clean leather interior and a few more luxury amenities in their crossover. It’s a good choice for buyers who want a reliable vehicle that offers all-wheel drive when outfitted accordingly.
2021 Honda CR-V EX-L includes:
Leather upholstery – This feature adds a touch of elegance and functionality to the CR-V interior. Leather is easier to clean than cloth.
Power rear liftgate – This system makes it easy to open the rear liftgate without struggling to find a button.
4-way power passenger seat – While not as versatile as the driver’s seat, having an adjustable passenger seat is still very nice for those who ride with you.
Two-position memory – No more fiddling with the seat settings every time your partner or spouse gets in or out of the car. This system allows two drivers to pre-set their seat and mirror position via a set of buttons on the door.
2021 Honda CR-V Touring and Hybrid Touring (Original price for gasoline version: $33,650. Original price for hybrid version: $36,350)
See 2021 Honda CR-V Touring models for sale near you and See 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring models for sale near you
At the top of the CR-V trim is the lux Touring trim for the CR-V buyer who wants all the bells and whistles.
The Touring trim builds off the EX-L trim below it. It adds a motion-activated rear liftgate, 19-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, satellite-linked navigation, and a 330-watt, nine-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trim includes rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights, roof rails, and ambient lighting.
The Touring Hybrid gets additional rear parking sensors.
Who is this trim level for? The 2021 Honda CR-V Touring is for buyers who want all the bells and whistles that they can get on this small crossover. It’s a good choice for buyers who want the complete luxury experience when driving a Honda CR-V and those who want an in-car navigation system.
2021 Honda CR-V Touring includes:
Motion-activated rear liftgate – If your hands are full, you can kick your foot under the CR-V’s rear bumper, and the power rear liftgate automatically opens.
Satellite Navigation – If you want in-car navigation, the Touring trim is where you get it. The system responds to voice input or typed-in commands. Standard HD Digital traffic allows the navigation to re-route around traffic jams.
Heated steering wheel – If you live in a cold climate, the heated steering wheel feature is a nice luxury touch. The system keeps your hands warm even if the car isn’t warmed up yet.
Wireless charging pad – This feature frees you from using wires and a USB port to charge your phone. Place the device on the pad, and the battery charges automatically (requires a phone compatible with wireless charging).
